Birkin news and archive

Sotheby’s to auction off Jane Birkin’s original Hermès Birkin bag

Auction house Sotheby’s is putting Jane Birkin’s original Hermès Birkin bag up for sale as part of its first ‘Fashion Icons’ lot. The bag, typically known to be “The Original Birkin”, is a black leather prototype featuring design elements “that set it apart from every Birkin that followed”, Sotheby’s said, including a stamp with the initials...

Retail

First ever Birkin bag to be auctioned in July

The first Birkin bag that was designed by French luxury brand Hermes for actress Jane Birkin in 1984, will be auctioned in Paris on July 10, auction house Sotheby's said Thursday. The large black leather tote, whose design went on to become one of the most famous and expensive bags in the world, will be the centrepiece of the "Fashion Icons"...

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Fashion

How Walmart’s Birkin-esque handbag sparked a viral sensation

In the world of high fashion, few accessories command as much attention—or aspiration—as the Hermès Birkin bag. Prized for its exclusivity, craftsmanship, and astronomical price tag that starts in the five figures, the Birkin has become a status symbol for the elite. Yet, an unexpected contender has entered the fray: a 78 dollar bag sold on...

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Business|Background

The silent luxury giant Hermès and the loud legal battle over the Birkin bag

French fashion house Hermès has not only made headlines recently for its continued growth, but has also been in the public eye for its ongoing legal battles. The disputes surrounding the iconic Birkin bag not only delve deep into the digital realm, but also raise questions about artistic freedom and whether there is a right to luxury. Trademark...

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Business

PETA calls on Hermès to halt use of crocodile skin for Birkins

The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has ramped up its efforts in attempting to convince Hermès to stop the use of crocodile skins in the brand’s iconic Birkin bags. Its latest call on the luxury brand comes days after the passing of Jane Birkin, the actor and singer who inspired the creation of the infamous luxury handbag. In...

People

Jane Birkin, style icon and Hermès muse, has died

Renowned English Franco style icon, actress, and singer, Jane Birkin, has passed away at the age of 76. The Paris-based Ms. Birkin, originally hailing from London, had established herself in France to pursue a flourishing career in both singing and acting. Famed for her embodiment of the enigmatic Parisian allure, Birkin's preference for boyish...

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Culture

First-ever Birkin bag to go on display in new V&A exhibition

The V&A Museum’s next major fashion exhibition will be dedicated to bags and will feature the first-ever made Hermès Birkin bag owned by Jane Birkin, alongside Mulberry handbags worn by Kate Moss and Alexa Chung. The ‘Bags: Inside Out’ exhibition opening on November 21 will showcase almost 300 pieces and will be the UK’s most comprehensive...

Video

Video: Why Birkin Bags are so expensive

Birkin bags have become the ultimate status symbol, commanding resale prices as high as 500,000 USD for a single bag. Unless you have been chosen by Hermès, resale is likely the only option for obtaining a bag. Luxury resellers like The Real Real in New York have many options available online if you have several thousand dollars lying around....

Fashion

Hermes Himalaya Birkin bag breaks all auction records

A diamond-encrusted crocodile-skin Hermes handbag with white gold details has broken the record for the world's most expensive ever sold at auction, fetching nearly 380,000 USD at a Hong Kong sale. The rare Himalaya Niloticus Crocodile Diamond Birkin 30 went to an unknown phone bidder Wednesday for 2.94 million HK dollars after intense bidding,...

Fashion

Hermès hit by ostrich farm cruelty claims

Hermès was thrown onto the defensive on Tuesday over claims of cruelty at a farm that allegedly supplies skins used in its luxury handbags, the second such allegations in a year. A spokeswoman for animal rights group PETA used the French fashion house's AGM in Paris to grill Hermes CEO Axel Dumas about a video showing ostriches being slaughtered...

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Business

France's Hermes bags luxurious profit of 973 million euros

French luxury goods group Hermes said Wednesday that net profit rose to skim the billion-euro mark last year despite an economic slowdown in China, the Paris terror attacks and currency fluctuations. Hermes, known for its leather handbags such as the Birkin named for the British singer and its silk square scarves, posted growth across the...

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Fashion

PETA reveals abuse at Ostrich suppliers for Prada and Hermès

London – Milan Fashion Week is full in swing, as luxury fashion house Prada dips its toe in the see now, buy now’ business model by making two of its autumn/winter 2016 leather handbags for sale following its catwalk show on Thursday. As more and more luxury fashion houses turn their focus to expanding their leather goods sector in order to...